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The poorly translated print ad accompanying the video says "Mercedes Benz and Zazen both go on a seek for ultimate perfection in their own respective way." Are we seeking ultimate perfection? I think not. Those who seek perfection will be very frustrated with Zen. Those monks, assuming they are not actors, are not perfect.

The car, on the other hand, even if perfect, is just a temporary as the monks. In twenty years, it will likely be rust and rubble. "On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everything drops to zero."

sitting in an old VW and truly being present with your hurting ass, your greasy rear-view mirror and the rusty dashboard. Opening into the falling that is awakening to true beetlehood. That's more like Zazen.

The poorly translated print ad accompanying the video says "Mercedes Benz and Zazen both go on a seek for ultimate perfection in their own respective way." Are we seeking ultimate perfection? I think not. Those who seek perfection will be very frustrated with Zen. Those monks, assuming they are not actors, are not perfect.

The car, on the other hand, even if perfect, is just a temporary as the monks. In twenty years, it will likely be rust and rubble. "On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everything drops to zero."

okay, Jen. I "want" that bumper sticker in a very desirous way. It is making me suffer that I don't have it and that I have never seen it before. Nice find! (Just kidding about the desiring and the suffering, by the way.)

Sorry but perhaps I'm just stupid but is the point that most if not all the monks got distracted by the car - which could be seen by measuring their brain waves, hence their beating with kyosaku. The message = Mercs can tempt you away from enlightenment or something of the sort? What do I know....!!! Nice car tho' In my past life I used to have an Audi TT sport - doesn't compare with zazen. Gassho Taikyo

* This film has been made with the cooperation of Buddhist monks.
Interpretation of the meanings/aims, the postures of Zazen differs between denominations and temples.
The driving scenes were filmed with a professional driver on a closed circuit.
For your own safety, DO NOT attempt.

Seeing as nearly all advertising is based on emotional appeal, I want to see the monks hooked up to an EEG / MEG while watching the ad!

As an aside, it is always giggle and/or cringe worthy to see the many ways the trappings of the Dharma are used to sell stuff (or at least is integrated into pop culture). I've noticed that the convenience store down the road from me sells some sort of chemical / herbal "male enhancement" that is simply called "Zen". There are lots more examples at the home of the "Dharma Burger" at: http://theworsthorse.com/

I suppose they are good teachers. When I see them and feel sad I know I have identified another attachment.

* This film has been made with the cooperation of Buddhist monks.
Interpretation of the meanings/aims, the postures of Zazen differs between denominations and temples.
The driving scenes were filmed with a professional driver on a closed circuit.
For your own safety, DO NOT attempt.

Aaaaaawwwww, that one poor monk. After many years of practicing non attachment, he lost his concentration after seeing the new car after all. The teacher, embarrassed and a bit aggravated, punishes his disciple for his lack of perseverance. Mercedes won! There is the proof. No one can stay cool after seeing this car. Not even Zen monks!

A very Walt Disney view of Zazen I think? Still like the commercial and the car though!

Aaaaaawwwww, that one poor monk. After many years of practicing non attachment, he lost his concentration after seeing the new car after all. The teacher, embarrassed and a bit aggravated, punishes his disciple for his lack of perseverance. Mercedes won! There is the proof. No one can stay cool after seeing this car. Not even Zen monks!

A very Walt Disney view of Zazen I think? Still like the commercial and the car though!

I don't care if it was a professional driver. There is no way I would sit there while a tricked out car raced around me. Reminds me of my teenage years when spinning out in parking lots. Rating is juvenile PG13. 👎

Actually, I had a very similar experience. My wife's dad and brother were amateur race car drivers. Brother took me out in his stock car for a run around the track here in Japan. I "Zazen'd" the curves.

Yes, Zazen straightens out the bends and one finds straightaway stillness at 125 mph (200km/h).

Gassho, J

By the way, that happened to be at the famous race course near our town here in Tsukuba. It looked much like this ...

I don't care if it was a professional driver. There is no way I would sit there while a tricked out car raced around me. Reminds me of my teenage years when spinning out in parking lots. Rating is juvenile PG13.

Kind regards. /\

I would sit there, provided that was "...the Stig's Japanese cousin!" behind the wheel.

My cars underpinnings are Mercedes E-and C class bits, so I must be getting close... er something, the ad is partly right in my experience as those Merc bits really can't handle the nasty roads here and are often displaying impermanence and require lots of opportunities for "practice". Like my car for what it does, I am a gear head/petrol head but... its just a bleeping car!! lol.

Are you sure Jundo? I couldn't help but notice that their Okesa were just tied and not tucked. It may just be me though so just ignore me. XD

Javier

Hello Javier,

I had noted that too.

Turns out that they are Japanese Tendai priests ...

Tendai-shu is what Dogen was before he was a Zen Priest, and many other Buddhist Teachers in old Japan (Nichiren, for example) came out of Tendai too. Not to speak of a school to which I do not belong, but Tendai is rather a "kitchen sink" school that includes many elements of Buddhist practice including the esoteric, Pure Land and Zen/Zazen all mixed together.

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV ?
Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me.
I wait for delivery each day until three,
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV ?

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town ?
I'm counting on you, Lord, please don't let me down.
Prove that you love me and buy the next round,
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town ?

Everybody!
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends,
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?